Farmers across the country will have more time to apply for payments from the federal program, according to U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue.

FSA offices in respective counties will provide updated information.

The original deadline for the Market Facilitation Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture had been January 15. The program’s deadline is now extended.

In a statement, Perdue said that the deadline will extend for "a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices were closed, once the government shutdown ends."

USDA announcement: February Food Stamps will arrive –

Illinois families who depend on food stamps will get their benefits next month. The USDA announced (Tuesday) the SNAP program, known to many as food stamps, will continue next month even if the government is still partially shut down. It’s not clear, though, what will happen to food stamp benefits in March if the government doesn’t fully reopen.